Grêmio coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo has defended his team selection in the derby against Internacional on Sunday.

Grêmio lost the game 2-1 and were eliminated out of the Piratini Cup by their great rivals.

He said: “I trained two situations, one with and one without three defenders. See defect is very easy. I like to see virtue in rival.

“In the circumstances we are, Inter scored two goals, and react. Merit rival who won with the full team. The game's outcome was normal, they deserved to win.

“Congrats. A fan's opinion is important, I know they wanted the maximum force. They are upset, so are we. We have a job to do. I did not make a plan to lose, but it was the defeat as victory. The fan who is upset today will be happy if we win in the future.”

Grêmio have made it clear that they have their eyes on progressing in the Copa Libertadores and having been willing to sacrifice the Gaúcho championship to do so.

“We had a plan in the back with positive or negative result. Then we have games to go. Personnel who acted against Flu made the sixth game now.

“For a game, people have to understand, if slowed work three days before. If we were to hold, we would lose six days telling recovery.”